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Actual and Potential Infinity
Author(s) -
Linnebo Øystein,
Shapiro Stewart
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
noûs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.574
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1468-0068
pISSN - 0029-4624
DOI - 10.1111/nous.12208
Subject(s) - infinity , mathematics , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , epistemology , intuitionistic logic , pure mathematics , calculus (dental) , philosophy , discrete mathematics , propositional calculus , mathematical analysis , statistics , dentistry , medicine
The notion of potential infinity dominated in mathematical thinking about infinity from Aristotle until Cantor. The coherence and philosophical importance of the notion are defended. Particular attention is paid to the question of whether potential infinity is compatible with classical logic or requires a weaker logic, perhaps intuitionistic.